ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND

This freewheeling version of the classic tale of the little girl who fell down a rabbit hole is as much fun as a hallucinogenic tea party. Narrator Harry Shearer soberly guides us along, while the star-studded ensemble cast meanders its way good-heartedly down the well-worn paths of the story. The original music is delightful; the production values high in clarity and creativity, as one would expect. There's a bit of a mismatch in casting Alice as a plainspoken all-American girl, but actress Vanessa Shaw brings a pleasing wide-eyed innocence to the role. Whether it's your first time in Wonderland or you're a frequent flyer, you can't have any more fun than this. D.J.B.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 04]